EAG Minutes 03.03.2008

Chairman Richard Shaink called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. Shiawassee RESD hosted the meeting at their new North Building which houses the Early Childhood programs, the superintendent’s office and the business office, as well as serving as a meeting site for various activities.

1. Introductions/Welcome

Dick Shaink welcomed all in attendance. Each person introduced themselves and their organization.

2. Perkins Long-Range Plan and Application

Brian Pyles, Fred Stanley and Sherry Bradish are in the process of developing the new five-year, long-range plan. The plan will be much more prescriptive than in the past. Public participation is being encouraged via electronic submission at their convenience. A change in the special needs section eliminates the low GPA criteria. Core Performance Indicators have been added for measuring math, English Language Arts, technology, job placement, and nontraditional enrollments for graduation. Brian also stated that statistics show that 98% of CTE students graduate from high school.

The long-range plan is due to the State on April 1, 2008. Brian reported that intervention logs on students in Shiawassee County are being maintained.

3. Tech Prep Long-Range Plan and Application

Brian Pyles reported that Tech Prep has made good strides in the past five years. Tech Prep and Perkins work closely together in delivering services to the local districts through an allocation and reimbursement process.

A handout of all planned activities for Tech Prep professional development for Genesee and Shiawassee counties was distributed. Tech Prep funds are used for professional development of instructors and articulation between secondary and postsecondary programs.

4. CIP New Program Applications (Handout)

Fred Stanley reported that as a result of the CTE standards project and the Office of Career Technical Education’s ongoing efforts to support high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand state-approved career and technical education programs, several changes have occurred to the list of state-approved career and technical education programs beginning in 2008-09. Several CTE programs and CIP codes will be combined, expanded, or eliminated as noted on the attached listing of CTE programs for 2008-09. The GASC Technology Center will experience the highest number of CIP changes in Genesee County. Other districts will also be required to go through this tedious process. The State has been contacted by both Fred and Brian Pyles requesting an extension of the March 14 deadline.

5. EDP Mid-Year Review

Donna Burmeister reported that all districts in Genesee County have gone through a Career Planning/EDP mid-year process. Superintendents will be receiving letters and reports this week on each of their high schools. The EDP process, which began over six years ago, is going well and has been very successful.

6. GRCC Mid-Year Review (Handout)

Fred Stanley reported that the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce Employer Education and Training Connection (EETC) has displayed great partnership with education in our region. The EETC team has worked with, or is scheduled to work with, 15 of the 21 county districts this year providing varying levels of service with workshops, career fair setup, mock interviews, worksite visit setup, career pathway conferences, and job shadowing referrals. The primary grade levels being served during the 2007-08 school year are 6^th -12^th grade reaching approximately 14,202 students. Fred praised the Chamber for their organization and has received positive feedback. A handout with more detail was provided.

7. Tech Prep Professional Development (Handout)

Tech Prep received $192,000 for 2007-08 through the Career Initiative Grant. Tech Prep dollars support activities in Genesee and Shiawassee counties. Regional Advisory Committees are also used in this process. Marketing teachers are working together to integrate core content curriculum with CTE instruction. Business, Management, Marketing and Technology groups have been developed to work through this process also. Fred reported that Tech Prep funding is also used to fund professional development activity. A handout was distributed listing all PD activity that has taken place or is planned for this school year.

Brian Pyles gave a brief report on what Shiawassee County is doing to meet new graduation requirements.

Tom Svitkovich commented that he feels Blackboard is a good tool for colleges and universities. Students experience an advantage using Blackboard, especially during their first year of college. Discussion was held on the math requirement for graduation and the articulation process. Tom requested documentation be brought to the Superintendents Retreat to be held at the end of this week concerning the math credit requirement for graduation.

9. Junior Achievement (Handout)

Lisa Seigel reported on Junior Achievement’s Online Auction to be held March 24 – April 15. JA provides valuable business, economics, and free enterprise concepts to assist students in understanding the global economy in which we live and work. A handout was provided with details on the Online Auction and how to get involved.

10. Other Business

Educator in the Workplace (EIW)

Fred Stanley reported on the Educator in the Workplace opportunity being offered to CTE instructors in Genesee and Shiawassee counties. EIW is a hands-on business experience for vocationally certified instructors teaching in an approved CTE program. This two-day experience at an area business will help answers questions students have regarding “why do we have to learn this?” Instructors will acquire new tools to motivate students and help them prepare for the world of work. Teachers will be required to submit an electronic lesson plan for approval by June 23, 2008. Stipends will be paid. For more information contact Fred at fstanley@geneseeisd.org .

Mechatronics

Drawn from the words mechanical and electronics, “Mechatronics,” is a relatively new methodology that merges the principles and processes of four interconnected engineering disciplines – electrical, mechanical, computer and robotics – to produce complex devices demanded by manufacturing, health care and other fields. This new program is designed to provide students with a unique educational experience that will lead to employment or advanced education in a high-demand occupation. The newly designed lab and curriculum will prepare students to design, install and troubleshoot advanced automated system technology. This program was developed jointly by Macomb Community College, Utica Community Schools and St. Clair County TEC. Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible for articulated college credit.

On February 29, 2008, GISD made arrangements for Genesee County educators to visit Macomb County to learn about Mechatronics, an advanced manufacturing process. Staff from Mott CC, GASC Technology Center, Automation Alley, and GISD met at the Ford Truck Plant on VanDyke and 18 ½ Mile Road to begin the tour. Paul Agusta from Applied Technology Systems made the arrangements for us.

After the plant tour, the group went to Macomb CC and heard from Peter Klein, assistant dean, and Art Knapp, instructor, how the advanced manufacturing program at Macomb CC would be implemented in the fall of 2008. Mr. Knapp has developed a course of action that would enable a high school student with a certain set of courses to articulate six or more college credits.

The group ended its day at Henry Ford II High School in the Utica System where they saw the Mechatronics classroom and heard about the new course offering that was implemented this year. The Henry Ford instructor has spent several hours developing his curriculum so that it will articulate with Macomb’s program. It should be noted that both the college and Henry Ford High School use the same technology training systems -- Amatrol.

MOSPA

Sharon Ganssley thanked the GASC Technology Center for hosting the MOSPA (Michigan Occupational Special Populations Association) Regional Conference on February 29. The event was attended by 71 students from Regions 4, 5 and 6.

Tour

A tour of the new North Building was hosted by Superintendent John Hagel. The building has two floors with eight suites. The renovation of the building was a very sound financial decision for Shiawassee RESD.

11. Next Meeting Date:

Monday, May 5, 2008, 8:00 a.m., Genesee ISD, Room 101

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m., followed by a tour of the facility.

NOTE: If you are interested in receiving any of the handouts from this meeting, please contact Cindy Thurlow at www.cthurlow@geneseeisd.org or 810-591-4437.

Approval of Minutes:

March 14, 2008

Dr. M. Richard Shaink, Co-Chair, EAG (Date)

Tim Herman

March 12, 2008

Mr. Tim Herman, Co-Chair, EAG (Date)

MRS/TH/FS:ct

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March 3, 2008

Shiawassee RESD – North Building